FLEXIBLE FUEL GENERATOR AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF

• US 20190323424A1
• Filed: 11/14/2018
• Published: 10/24/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ini Power Systems Inc. (The Dewey Electronics Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Ini Power Systems Inc. (The Dewey Electronics Corp.)
• Inventors: Markoski, Larry J., Simmons, Timothy C., Nance, Mack L.
• Application Number:
  US16/191,300
• Publication Number:
  US 20190323424A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 1/0058 Use of waste energy from other processes or sources, e.g. combustion gas for water treatment C02F1/16
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/16 using waste heat from other processes
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 13/08 Other arrangements or adaptations of exhaust conduits pipes, joints or supports therefor in general F16L; collecting or removing exhaust gases of vehicle engines in workshops B08B15/00, on highways E01C1/005
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2240/02 a heat exchanger
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2240/22 a condensation chamber
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2590/06 for hand-held tools or portables devices
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/005 for draining or otherwise eliminating condensates or moisture accumulating in the apparatus F01N3/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/103 Oxidation catalysts for HC and CO only
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/20 specially adapted for catalytic conversion F01N3/22 takes precedence; Methods of operation or control of catalytic converters
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 5/02 the devices using heat
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 1/02 Arrangements for cooling cylinders or cylinder heads, e.g. ducting cooling-air from its pressure source to cylinders or along cylinders
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2003/021 Cooling cylinders
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2007/146 using valves
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2025/32 Engine outcoming fluid temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 7/16 by thermostatic control
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 2043/103 Natural gas, e.g. methane or LNG used as a fuel
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 2201/064 Liquid and gas
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 43/10 Engines or plants characterised by use of other specific gases, e.g. acetylene, oxyhydrogen
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 5/00 Engines characterised by positive ignition engines characterised by fuel-air mixture compression with positive ignition F02B1/02; engines characterised by air compression and subsequent fuel addition with positive ignition F02B3/02; with non-timed positive ignition F02B9/06; characterised by both fuel-air mixture compression and air compression, or characterised by both positive ignition and compression ignition F02B11/00
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 63/04 for electric generators
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 63/042 : Rotating electric generators
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 63/048 : Portable engine-generator combinations
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 69/02 : for different fuel types, other than engines indifferent to fuel consumed, e.g. convertible from light to heavy fuel
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 69/04 : for gaseous and non-gaseous fuels
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 9/04 : Methods of operating
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 19/0615 : being initiated by automatic means, e.g. based on engine or vehicle operating conditions
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 19/0649 : Liquid fuels having different boiling temperatures, volatilities, densities, viscosities, cetane or octane numbers
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2400/06 : Small engines with electronic control, e.g. for hand held tools
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 29/06 : peculiar to engines driving electric generators
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0025 : Controlling engines characterised by use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/062 : for starting F02D41/061 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 25/025 : Adding water
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 3/02 : having pull-cords
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 99/00 : Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1815 : structurally associated with reciprocating piston engines general aspects of generating sets, e.g. housing, F02B63/04
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 : Improving ICE efficiencies
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/30 : Use of alternative fuels, e.g. biofuels
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49231 : I.C. [internal combustion] engine making

Abstract

A portable flexible fuel generator, having an engine, includes: a cylinder and a spark plug in the cylinder, a primary fuel tank fluidly connected to the cylinder, an air intake path fluidly connecting atmosphere to the cylinder, a start module including a starting fuel tank holder and a starting fuel line, where the starting fuel line is fluidly connected to the air intake path, a coolant path which provide a flow path for coolant to cool the cylinder, and a thermal controller along the coolant path. Furthermore, the engine has full cylinder cooling.

Claims

1. A portable flexible fuel generator, having an engine, comprising:

(1) a cylinder, and a spark plug in the cylinder,

(2) a primary fuel tank, fluidly connected to the cylinder,

(3) an air intake path, fluidly connecting atmosphere to the cylinder,

(4) a start module, comprising a starting fuel tank holder and a starting fuel line, wherein the starting fuel line is fluidly connected to the air intake path,

(5) a coolant path, which provide a flow path for coolant to cool the cylinder, and

(6) a thermal controller, along the coolant path,

wherein the engine has full cylinder cooling.

2. The portable flexible fuel generator of claim 1, wherein the generator is air-cooled.

3. The portable flexible fuel generator of any of claim 1, wherein the cylinder has a compression ratio greater than 8:

1.

4. The portable flexible fuel generator of claim 1, wherein the generator does not include a battery.

5. The portable flexible fuel generator of claim 1, wherein the cylinder comprises aluminum.

6. The portable flexible fuel generator of claim 1, further comprising a generator housing enclosing the cylinder, wherein the start module is attached to the generator housing.

7. The portable flexible fuel generator of claim 1, further comprising a starting fuel tank, fluidly connected to the starting fuel line.

8. The portable flexible fuel generator of claim 1, further comprising a starting fuel dispenser, fluidly connecting the starting fuel tank to the starting fuel line.

11. The portable flexible fuel generator of claim 1, wherein the starting fuel tank contains a low-boiling point low-flashpoint fuel.

14. The portable flexible fuel generator of claim 1, wherein an air filter is present along the air intake path, and the starting fuel line is connected to the air intake path between the air filter and the cylinder.

15. The portable flexible fuel generator of claim 1, wherein:

the coolant path has an entrance for air to enter the generator and an exit or air to exit the generator,

the thermal controller is a thermal door, and

the thermal door is at the exit of the coolant path.

19. The portable flexible fuel generator of claim 1, further comprising a generator housing enclosing the cylinder, wherein the start module is attached to the generator housing, and

wherein the generator is air-cooled,

the cylinder has a compression ratio greater than 8:

1,

the cylinder comprises aluminum,

the generator does not include a battery,

the start module further comprises a starting fuel enclosure,

an air filter is present along the air intake path,

the starting fuel line is connected to the air intake path between the air filter and the cylinder,

the coolant path has an entrance for air to enter the generator and an exit for air to exit the generator,

the thermal controller is a thermal door, and

the thermal door is at the exit of the coolant path.

9-10. -10. (canceled)

12-13. -13. (canceled)

16-18. -18. (canceled)

20. (canceled)

21. A method of generating electricity with a generator, the generator having an engine comprising a cylinder and a spark plug, the method comprising:

operating the engine in the isothermal range of 120-180°

C., and

fueling the engine with a running fuel comprising a heavy fuel.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the heavy fuel is diesel fuel.

23. The method of any of claim 21, further comprising starting the engine while fueling the engine with a gaseous low-flashpoint fuel.

24-30. -30. (canceled)

31. A method of making a portable flexible fuel generator, comprising modifying a portable gasoline generator,

wherein the modifying comprises:

adding a starting module comprising a starting fuel tank holder and a starting fuel line, wherein the stating fuel line is fluidly connected to an air intake path of the portable gasoline generator,

adding a thermal door, along the coolant path of the portable gasoline generator, and

retarding the spark plug ignition timing,

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the portable gasoline generator is air cooled, has a compression ratio of greater than 8:

1, does not include a battery for starting the generator, and a cylinder of the generator comprises aluminum.

39. The method of claim 31, wherein the modifying, further comprises adding a starting fuel tank, fluidly connected to the starting fuel line, and

the starting fuel tank comprises pressurized diethyl ether.

40. The method of claim 31, wherein:

the portable gasoline generator has a compression ratio greater than 8;

1, uses fixed timing, and has a 4 cycle, 50 cc engine, and

the portable gasoline generator comprises;

a generator housing,

an air filter along an air intake path which supplied air for combustion of fuel, and

a coolant path having an entrance for air to enter the generator and an exit for air to exit the generator,

wherein the start module is attached to the generator housing,

the start module further comprises a starting fuel enclosure, the starting fuel enclosure comprises a starting fuel button access and starting fuel button cover,

the starting fuel line is connected to the air intake path between the air filter and the cylinder, and

the thermal door is at the exit of the coolant path.

46. The method of claim 39, wherein the amount of diethyl ether for starting the engine is 0.1 to 10 grams.

33-38. -38. (canceled)

41-45. -45. (canceled)